Fortunate

After eleven yeras and over 2800 inspections it is quite amazing that I have not had the misfortune to have seen the insde of a court room. Oh, I have made mistakes for which I have made ammends but to recieve a court summons I have not. I believed that living in West Virginia, the nations most litigiious state and being involved in such a risky profession I was afraid that I would have to answer to someone at some point. But I still felt that this was a worhty profession and my calling. The key, I believe, to staying away from the courts is to communicate. We are all born with talents that need development. Sometimes it is good to look back and review what we are doing to communicate with clients and how we are doing it.

Gain an insight into who your client is and what their "home" experiences have been

Fully explain the process and the agreement

Detail the Standards that the client can expect to be utilized for the inspection

Assure the client that you do not know everything but will defer to protect them when neccessary

Be candid and forthright in your presentation of the inspection findings, keeping their experiences in mind

Maintain positive eye contact to detect that "deer in the headlight" look

Inform the client that you will be more than willing to follow-up (however you chose to do that) Letting them know that it is not over when the check changes hands

Offer the client an opportunity to question each major area of inspection, elect, plumbing, framing etc.

Walk the client though the dwelling making certain that they are looking at what you are attempting to show them rather than just the color of the room

Always answer the phone calls TIMELY and go to the dwelling "to help them" Clents trusted you to do the inspection because you cared and they believed you. Follow-up with the same care and intensity of desire to protect them.

Finally re-iterate your desire to help them, even after the inspection and follow through if needed. If you have any doubt about their understanding of anything or if you remember something that you may not have fully explained, a follow-up call can save you (plenty many) headaches inthe future.

Lucky indeed! I would also add, a good inspector, being that the homes you've inspected haven't fallen apart, ehh???

As an agent, I can not specifically point my clients to one inspector, but must give them options, but really there is only one I trust as others have missed "items" have have killed a deal or 2. I commend you on taking pride in what you do and for communicating with the buyers... Some folks forget that communication is key.

Mike, I've seen the inside of a courtroom many, many times, luckily because I was a Probation Officer previously. It's not all that fun, even in criminal court when you're the "good" guy. But back on track, good post and tips.

Thanks for all the good reminders. These are the things we need to post more often to remind us the reason we are good home inspectors and take our job seriously. Knock on wood for me...but never know when the day may come. It is very easy to overlook something.

I make a friend of every client and keep their best interest a heart just as if it were family, sounds corny but its true. And I heard once that friends don't sue friends. So thats my take. Jack Jackson Total Home Inspection Services

I appreciate all of your comments, it is always good to get feedback on our positions to know where and when to "adapt and overcome" yep I am a MARINE. I do believe that we are all a part of one big community. We live, learn and work together and as a group we will all sink together if we do not take care of our "brothers and sisters". Thanks again for your responses.

Thanks for both of your posts. It is always good to get feedback, it helps us all be better because of the collective experience. I have been pretty lax lately in getting on the A/R site and I miss it. There are always treasured ditbits one can gather to increase knowledge to be able to help a client.

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